Security tightened at Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border as farmers’ protest continues

Security has been heightened at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border as Haryana Police, on Thursday morning, removed concrete barricades that had been erected to restrict the movement of farmers protesting over various demands.

Police officials used bulldozers to remove the concrete barricades at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border.

On Wednesday, Punjab Police cleared the protest site late in the evening, removing the farmers who had been sitting in protest over their demands.

Following Punjab Police’s action, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh stated that the entire road would be cleared and reopened for traffic.

Speaking to ANI, SSP Singh emphasized that no force was used, as the protesting farmers cooperated with them.

“Farmers had been protesting at the Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, police cleared the area after issuing proper warnings. A few people showed a willingness to go home, so they were sent on a bus. Additionally, structures and vehicles at the site are being moved. The entire road will be cleared and reopened for traffic,” he said.

“Haryana Police will also take action. Once they open the road from their side, movement on the highway will resume. We did not need to use any force because there was no resistance. The farmers cooperated well and boarded the buses on their own,” the SSP added.

Police also removed temporary structures set up by farmers at the protest site.

Several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher, were detained by the police.

Reacting to the action, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait condemned the Punjab government’s move.

“In the ongoing agitation at the Punjab border, the government is negotiating with farmer organizations on one hand while arresting them on the other. We strongly condemn the action of the Punjab government, and all farmer organizations are ready for any struggle,” Tikait posted on X.

BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa emphasized that his party stands with the farmers and accused AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of betraying them.

“The central government has sent a team of ministers to hold talks with the farmers, but businessmen in Ludhiana West have said they would not vote for AAP because all roads are closed. To secure a Rajya Sabha seat for Arvind Kejriwal and win the Ludhiana West by-election, they detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher. The BJP supports the farmers of Punjab, but Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have betrayed them,” Bajwa told ANI.